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Yesterday I had a new revelation after listening to a news report on dementia.It stated that a person who has had a sleep disorder in the past of hitting and kicking, will probably (or possibly) get Lewy Body Dementia later in life. It also mentioned hand tremors as a side effect of Lewy Body, which my husband has and is continually getting worse. it stated that Aricept helps the patient with Lewy Body.

My husband has had this very bad sleep disorder and has hit me and kicked me many times during his sleep. The MD said there was no answer or cure for it. When my husband was highly stressed (like worry over our son) he would be much worse. Many nights he would be leaning over me yelling or roaring like a bear. He would later tell me what he was dreaming.

What type of test would tell the difference between the two dementia's. Would that be the psychiatrist who does this ?

He has many characteristics of Alzheimer's but his memory has improved so much that he remembers current events, information, appointments that I made the day before, etc. I have felt that this is the results of the Aricept and Namenda as they work on two parts of the brain.

Which dementia is the worse to live with?

Thanks for any information. I'm trying to pull up info on Lewy Body, but haven't found what I'm looking for.

Kathy

Thanks for your Reply!

4 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Alzheimer's vs. Lewy Body DementiaYesterday I had a new revelation after listening to a news report on dementia.It stated that a person who has had a sleep disorder in the past of hitting and kicking, will probably (or possibly) get Lewy Body Dementia later in life. It also mentioned hand tremors as a side effect of Lewy Body, which my husband has and is continually getting worse. it stated that Aricept helps the patient with Lewy Body.

My husband has had this very bad sleep disorder and has hit me and kicked me many times during his sleep. The MD said there was no answer or cure for it. When my husband was highly stressed (like worry over our son) he would be much worse. Many nights he would be leaning over me yelling or roaring like a bear. He would later tell me what he was dreaming.

What type of test would tell the difference between the two dementia's. Would that be the psychiatrist who does this ?

He has many characteristics of Alzheimer's but his memory has improved so much that he remembers current events, information, appointments that I made the day before, etc. I have felt that this is the results of the Aricept and Namenda as they work on two parts of the brain.

Which dementia is the worse to live with?

Thanks for any information. I'm trying to pull up info on Lewy Body, but haven't found what I'm looking for.

Frequently, Lewy body dementia involves vivid hallucinations which may be what's happening to your husband, especially in the middle of the night. Memory issues develop later in the illness. It's important to consult with a neurologist who is familiar with this disease to determine whether he would benefit from additional treatments.

Meanwhile, please take steps to keep yourself safe - perhaps even sleeping in a separate room.

Frequently, Lewy body dementia involves vivid hallucinations which may be what's happening to your husband, especially in the middle of the night. Memory issues develop later in the illness. It's important to consult with a neurologist who is familiar with this disease to determine whether he would benefit from additional treatments.

Meanwhile, please take steps to keep yourself safe - perhaps even sleeping in a separate room.

The sleep disorder with the hitting and kicking happened many years ago. It concerned him and he suggested he sleep in another room, but first for us to try to switch sides of the bed. He only had these problems when he was laying on his right side. That is very strange, but it worked. He is not doing that now and hasn't had that problem in the last few years.

He did wake me up the other night and tell me to move over, he wanted to get up. I was on my side of the bed. He had moved to his side very close to the bed rail and thought I was pushing him. We had a laugh about it the next day, but I couldn't go back to sleep and it was 3:30 a.m.

At the time of diagnosis September 2009, He was having wild hallucinations. He saw spirits standing all around and said sometimes, I was standing with them. He very seldom has a hallucination now.

I was considering asking his doctor to refer him to a neurologist, but I read on the LBD web that there isn't a test that proves it for sure. It would be good for him to get relief from the tremors in his hands.

The sleep disorder with the hitting and kicking happened many years ago. It concerned him and he suggested he sleep in another room, but first for us to try to switch sides of the bed. He only had these problems when he was laying on his right side. That is very strange, but it worked. He is not doing that now and hasn't had that problem in the last few years.

He did wake me up the other night and tell me to move over, he wanted to get up. I was on my side of the bed. He had moved to his side very close to the bed rail and thought I was pushing him. We had a laugh about it the next day, but I couldn't go back to sleep and it was 3:30 a.m.

At the time of diagnosis September 2009, He was having wild hallucinations. He saw spirits standing all around and said sometimes, I was standing with them. He very seldom has a hallucination now.

I was considering asking his doctor to refer him to a neurologist, but I read on the LBD web that there isn't a test that proves it for sure. It would be good for him to get relief from the tremors in his hands.

There are medications that may help ease the tremors. A neurologist has the experience with Parkinson's and Lewy body symptoms and would know if medication would help. Another resource is a hospital or university memory center nearby.

There are medications that may help ease the tremors. A neurologist has the experience with Parkinson's and Lewy body symptoms and would know if medication would help. Another resource is a hospital or university memory center nearby.

Hi Judy, I talked to the MD who cares for Ken's AD since all the reports and tests would come back to him. He said "No" to tremors medicines because Ken wasn't that bad and the side effects of Parkinson's medicines would be too severe.I guess we'll continue going on as we are.

Thanks for the information.

Kathy

Thanks for your Reply!

Report This| Share this:Alzheimer's vs. Lewy Body DementiaHi Judy, I talked to the MD who cares for Ken's AD since all the reports and tests would come back to him. He said "No" to tremors medicines because Ken wasn't that bad and the side effects of Parkinson's medicines would be too severe.I guess we'll continue going on as we are.

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